Electrodynamic rate regulator arrangement for clocks



Nov. 10, 1964 F. HERR ETAL 3,156,857

ELECTRODYNAMIC RATE REGULATOR ARRANGEMENT FOR CLOCKS Filed Dec. 17, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gvwvwbwps FIRITZ HERR GUNTHER GLASER 2):, wallow (0-6; (dd/ 4m Nov. 10, 1964 F. HERR ETAL 3,156,857

ELECTRODYNAMIC RATE REGULATOR ARRANGEMENT FOR CLOCKS Filed Dec. 17, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3b

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Nov. 10, 1964 F. HERR ETAL 3,156,357

ELECTRODYNAMIC RATE REGULATOR ARRANGEMENT FOR CLOCKS Filed Dec. 17, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 7

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[TIME] 0 I 7 0 I 10 IUODIOIIJDU RESISTANCE 3 wuwwtovs FRITZ HERR GUNTHER GLASER United States Patent 3,156,857 ELECTRODYNAMKI RATE REGULATGR ARRANGEMENT FGR CHECKS Fritz Herr, Kolpingstrasse 18, and Gunther Glaser, Par-zelle Buhle 5, both of Sehramberg, Germany Filed Dec. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 860,247 Claims priority, application Germany Dec. 17, W53 12 Claims. (Cl. 318-132 The invention relates to an electrodynarnic rate regulator arrangement for clocks, on the rotary oscillator of which are mounted permanent-magnet magnetic parts, co-operating in non-contact manner with flat coils, fixed in the vicinity of the balance wheel spindle. In such rate which magnetic parts form on the periphery of two discs during their oscillation concentrated magnet poles acting on the said coils and having their ma netic flux closed in the vicinity of the balance wheel spindle. In such rate regulator arrangements, in order to obtain good efliciency and hence to permit low power consumption, and with simple construction, a good rate accuracy, even in the case of temperature fluctuations and voltage fluctuations of the voltage source, considerable importance attaches to the strength of the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets, the concentration of the magnetic flux, as well as the scattering of the magnets, the arrangement of the coils relatively to one another and to the rotary oscillator and finally the coils and the coupling or damping means influencing the rotary oscillator itself.

It is the object of the invention to provide an electro dynamic rate regulator arrangement, in which the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets is exceedingly strong and is concentrated in a small air gap, in which the eiiiciency is high and in which temperature fluctuations and fluctuations in the supply voltage source have no significant influence on the oscillation amplitude.

A further object of the invention is to allow the driving impulse exerted by the driving coil on the rotary oscillator to act on the rotary oscillator at the most favourable instant possible. I

A further object of the invention is to form the coupling of the coils influenced by the rotary oscillator in such a manner that it is dependent upon the amplitude of the rate regulator, and is operative only at small amplitudes, in order thereby to permit easy starting or self-starting of the rotary oscillator.

A further object of the invention is to construct the means influencing the coupling between the coils in such a manner that the coupling is influenced by fluctuations in the ambient temperature in such a manner that the variations caused thereby in the rate regulator oscillation are compensated. A further object of the invention is tude of the rate regulator, exert on the latter a damping effect, so that the latter oscillates with an am litude which is as constant as possible.

A further object of the invention is finally the provision of screening of the rate regulator from external influences which may affect its rate of motion.

According to the invention, the magnetic parts of the rotary oscillator consist of axially magnetised cylindrical magnets, carried by discs and situated opposite each other and having an air gap between them for receiving the coils, the said coils being both situated simultaneously the provision of means which, depending upon the ampli- I 7 rotary oscillator. As shown by experiments, due to the combination according to the invention, exceedingly short and sharp impulses can also be produced even when the ambient temperature varies within comparatively Wide limits and the voltage of the source of current supply diminishes considerably in the course of time.

Furthermore, the discs carrying the permanent magnets may consist of highly permeable material. They are preferably formed as annular discs with a transverse spoke, on which are mounted the magnets and also the counterweights.

Constructional examples of the invention are represented in twelve figures. It is pointed out, however, that the general idea of the invention is not exhausted in the special features of the constructional examples.

In these figures,

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a low-scatter, balance wheel rate regulator according to the invention having an axially magnetised cylindrical magnet on either side of the balance wheel discs;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view thereof, the viewing plane for the plan being shown in FIG. 1 by arrows;

FIGS. 30 and 3b shows in section and in plan a further constructional form of the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the variation of the rate in the case of fluctuation of the Working voltage of the transistor battery or of the ambient temperature;

FIG. 6 shows a circuit diagram in explanation of the invention;

FIGS. 7 to 9 show coil constructions to be used in the scope of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows the variation of the daily rate in the case of variation of the short-circuit resistance of a coil used for rate regulation;

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a constructional embodiment of the invention and the corresponding circuit diagram.

The reference numerals employed in the figures have the following significance:

1 and 2 are the upper and lower balance wheel rings made of material of high permeability. 3 and 4 are the axially magnetised cylindrical magnets. These are fixed in recesses on the balance-wheel rings, a method of fastening which results in a stray flux connection and in a determined adjustment to the balance-wheel rings or their spokes l7.

and 6 are counterweights of non-magnetic materials. '7 is the spindle of the balance wheel and 8 the balance wheel spiral, the latter being fixed to a post 9.

The path for the magnetic flux between the upper and lower discs 1 and 2 is provided by a hollow ferromagnetic cylinder it? having conical reinforcements 11 and 12 surrounding the spindle 7; the central cylindrical portion 10 may be magnetised axially. The magnetic flux is therefore closed, as will be seen by the dash lines in FIG. 1.

i3 and 34 are coils of fiat construction connected respectively in the} input and output circuits of the transistor circuit; they are adjustably mounted in a block 15.

The counterweights 5 and 6 are fixed to the balance wheel rings 1 and 2 by rivets For decoupling the coils l3 and it, a short-circuit winding or a short-circuit disc 18 may be provided between them.

In such rate regulators, it is important to compensate the dependence of the rate on the temperature, due to the temperature dependent properties of the transistor, as well as the dependence of the rate on the battery voltage which decreases with time.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show such a system. The low stray flux magnet system, of simple and robust construction, is mounted on the oscillating part, as in H63. 1 and 2. The magnet system consists of two axially magnetised 3 permanent magnets 21 and 22, and to avoid scattering to the exterior on the principle already explained above, of three specially constructed magnetic yoke members 23, 24 and 25, member 25 acting at the same time as spindle of the balance wheel. The magnets 21 and 22 have high coercivity and high remanence. They are so arranged that the magnetic lines of force on both sides of the coils enter and emerge perpendicularly from the latter directly from the pole faces of the two permanent magnets and not from the magnetic yoke members. as is the control coil and 3d the working coil. 27 is a shortcircuit winding inserted between the two coils. A cylinder winding or disc winding can be used for this purpose. 26 is a metal disc mounted opposite the coils.

, To fully utilize the capacity of the current source of clocks which are operated by a dry cell or accumulator, the largest possible area of a discharge curve of the current source should be used. The discharge voltage generally falls with the duration of load. If the voltage range between 1.5 and 1.0 volt of a dry cell is used, the maximum part of the power contained in the cell can be utilised. The rate regulator driven by the source of current should have a rate which is independent of the drop in voltage of the source of current.

With variation in the working voltage, the electrical energy supplied to the rate regulator varies, resulting in a reduction in the amplitude of the oscillator with voltage drop. Generally, the oscillation of a rate regulater is not isochronous, on the one hand because of the property of the freely oscillating motion regulator, U

and on the other hand also due to variation in the phase position of the driving pulses and of the pulses necessary for direct actuation of the mechanism for the hands.

The electrical driving pulses are determined in their phase by the position of the control coil. In known manner, the tendency is to keep the impulse width as small as possible and to position the impulse centre of gravity in the vicinity or" the resting position of the rate regulator. It is also known to compensate the rate in regard to dependence upon voltage by means of eddy current damping discs. Considerations based thereon and practical experiments have shown that extensive compensation ofthe influence or batery voltage variations on the rate and at the same time an eiiective amplitude limitation in the normal amplitude range can only be obtained from a certain oscillation amplitude onward. This amplitude limitation, however, must be differentiated from the effect of the eddy current damping which is usually employed in Ato contact clocks, and which acts over the entire arc of oscillation of the pendulum. lln'the arrangement according to the invention, damping rises only from an amplitude of somewhat less than i180, but is then particuarly effective. This eddy current damping has the advantage that the rate regulator readily oscillates up from standstill to the amplitude range, the reduction in voltage of the source of current also becoming effective. Due to the strength of the eddy current damping, there is considerable scope in regard to the possible methods of compensation. The geometrical shape of the damping disc can be adapted to the particular requirements. it has been found that the shapes of a narrow triangle or narrow rectangle, of very simple manufacture, generally sufiice. it is also possible,

7 hov ever, to obtain satisfactory damping also by variable thickness of the disc, for example in 'lenticular form.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show in the air gap of the magnets a metal disc 26 of material, which is a good conductor, mounted at 180 relatively to the coils. As soon as the oscillator magnets move over the metal disc, the braking effect of the damping disc begins. On increase in the energy supplied, the eddy current loss of disc 25 in- Advantagcously, the damping disc 26 is displaceable, preferably towards the balance wheel spindle; the degree of damping can thereby be regulated in a simple manner and adapted to the particular oscillation system.

In H6. 4, curve a shows the comparatively large daily rate variation of a rate regulator according to the invention in the range between 1.5 and 0.8 volt without the special eddy current brake of the disc 25 according to the invention. With the use of this disc, on the contrary, curve I) shows that the rate is to a considerable degree independent of the voltage in the working range between 1.5 and 1.0 volt. The effectiveness of the special method according to the invention will be seen from this.

The temperature dependence consists inter alia of the following: The electrical energy converted into mechanical energy by the driving impulse is F AA Ec dt wncre E is the electromotive force induced in the driving coil. With temperature variation this force varies in consequence of the variation of the induction flux of the permanent magnets. Furthermore, the driving impulse current z' and in particular its impulse width, is varied by the influence or temperature on the transistor. Due to the eddy current damping already employed for voltage compensation, an amplitude variation caused by the energy supply can now be largely compensated. It is, however, also possible by the choice of the material for the damping disc, by a suitable positive or negative temperature coefi'lcient of this material, to compensate to a considerable extent the dependence of the rate on the temperature.

in the case of driving impulses which are situated asymmetrically relatively to the zero position, there is also a temperature dependence of the rate, since the position of the centre of gravity of the impulse is also displaced with the impulse width.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there are a number of compensation possibilities, including however also that of eddy-current damping with suitable resistancetemperature coefiicient of the damping disc.

In FIG. 5, curve a shows the dependence of the rate upon temperature without the amplitude-limiting eddycurrent damping disc 26, curve b the temperature rate with this disc. The still residual temperature rate can be compensated by the choice of a suitable spiral or by varying the phase position of the driving impulses.

Measurements have shown that back-coupling oscillations occurring between controlling and working coils have an unfavourable efiect in the range of the normal oscillation amplitude, particularly also on the temperature creases considerably. Simultaneously with the amplitude limitation of the oscillator, there is also obtained, however, an extensive voltage compensation of the rate of oscillation.

cylinder or disc windings.

dependence of the rate. These back-coupling oscillations should be suppressed as far as possible in the normal working range. On the other hand, however, the backcoupling oscillations can be useful for'starting the oscillator. Both easy starting of the oscillations and alsopre vention of backcoupling oscillations in the normal amplitude range can be accomplished by means of damping which commences only above a certain amplitude.

it is known to eliminate irregular back-coupling oscillations by means of damping resistances, counter-coupling turns or neutralising condensres.

This etlect'is also ob tained by means of damping discs between the coils (concoupling oscillations between controlling and working coils to disappear in the normal amplitude range, so that in that range only the short driving impulses occur which are induced by the swinging through of the permanent magnet part. If the impulse waveform is measured as a function of the amplitude in a rate regulator according to the invention, predominantly back-coupling oscillations are observed at small amplitudes. At larger amplitudes, the impulse induced by the permanent magnet oscillating part is observed, and is extended on both sides by back-coupling oscillations. In the normal amplitude range, however, only the short, magnetically induced driving impulse is observed.

FIG. 6 shows the circuit diagram. Here 44 denotes the transistor, 45 the current source, 29 the controlling coil, 30 the working coil, 43 the decoupling condenser, 41 the additional member, the decoupling eifect of which depends upon the amplitude. This member may be constructed as short-circuit winding with wire of material having a positive or negative temperature coefficient of electrical resistance or an addy current damping foil or discs of conducting material, suitable for the temperature dependence of the rate, and having positive or negative resistance-temperature coefficient.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 shown constructional examples.

In FIG. 7, 29 and 30 represent the controlling and working coils, respectively. 41 is a damping disc made in the form of a dish. In FIG. 8 two symmetrical damping discs 41, 42 are used.

FIG. 9 shows a corresponding arrangement in the case of a cylindrical coil winding.

It is known that eddy-current damping also has an influence on the rate. The rate is therefore also varied by displacement of a disc 26 according to FIGS. 3a and 3b. Primarily, however, such a disc should serve for amplitude stabilisation and for compensating the rate in the case of voltage and temperature fluctuations. For the damping disc a material should be selected whose electrical resistance changes with the temperature fluctuation. A suitable choice of the temperature coefficient of this material will make it possible to adequately compensate the irregularities of the clocks movement which irregularities are caused by temperature fluctuation. The necessary temperature coefiicient can be determined from the type or" switch as well as the type of switching elements used. Tests will easily show which value of the temperature coefiicient is necessary to achieve a compensation of the temperature error.

The invention concerns a simple fine adjustment of the rate easily operable from the exterior. For this purpose, a short-circuit coil, short-circuited by a variable resistance R is provided at a place over which the permanent-magnet swinging part passes, preferably opposite the position of rest of the maknets. FIG. shows the variation in rate thereby obtainable. 4

This resistance also may be selected of material having definite resistance-temperature coefiicients, so that a certain temperature compensation of the rate is obtained at the same time.

A rate regulator with amplitude stabilisation constructed according to the invention, with compensation of the rate variation of controlling and working coils, as well as with fine adjustment of the rate may advantageously be combined in the form of a unit, the electrical connections being formed in known manner in the fashion of a noninterchangeable valve holder. To oviate as far as possible the effect of external magnetic fields, it is 63 is the holder with connecting plugs, 64 the highpermeable base-plate and 65 the high-permeable screening and protecting cover. 66 is the additional winding for fine adjustment by means or" a regulating resistance 73 adapted to be connected to the plugs 71 and 72. 67 represents the device for amplitude-dependent damping reduction. 68 is a coil by means of which the impulses produced by the rate regulator with constant frequency can be tapped without loss of power, for example for controlling a special member for setting the hands or for controlling auxiliary clocks. It is well known that the movement of a clock is being influenced by changes in the temperature. Therefore, it is a Well known practice to use Nivarox spirales in mehcanical clocks to compensate for this error in temperature. The fluctuation in temperature in a mechanical clock usually results in a change of the movement of inertia of the pendulum which influences the movement of the clock.

In an electrodynamic powered pendulum, further influences will be noted when the temperature fluctuation has taken place. For example, the change of the inductance flux of the permanent magnet and a change in the esistance of the transistor. These changes cause a deviation in the sizes of the driving coils. This deviation may be compensated by the use of resistors which are influenced by the temperature. For example, an enlargement of the impulse voltage which occurs by an increase in temperature, may be compensated if the damping disc 26 is made of material with negative temperature coefficients, whereby stronger oscillations are produced due to the decreased damping. These oscillations compensate for the increased driving impulses to the pendulum. In this manner, the pendulum movement can be kept at a constant amplitude when temperature fluctuation occurs. Also, the short circuit coils 18, 41, 42, 43, 6t? and 67, or the resistor 73, may be of metal with certain temperature coefiicients so that the generated driving impulses or driving impulse currents can be influenced.

Furthermore, starting means may be provided, for example a special coil 74 operated from the outside, or a switch for short-period sort-circuiting of the emitter and collector of the transistor. The special coil 74 serves to deflect the permanent magnet part.

We claim:

1. Electrodynamic rate regulator for clocks and the like, comprising a rotary oscillator mounted on a spindle, a plurality of permanent magnet parts mounted on said oscillator, said parts cooperating with coreless control coil fixed in the clock and with a coreless driving coil likewise in a fixed position in the clock, an inductive transistor coupling circuit, two discs cooperating with said magnetic parts forming oppositely placed magnet poles, having a flux path closed in the "icinity or" the spindle, said magnetic parts being fastened to said discs and being axially magnetized and opposed cylindrical magnets which have an air gap to receive the coreless coils when the oscillator is in stationary position, said discs having high magnetic permeability, further including ferromagnetic embodiments arranged in the vicinity of the rotary oscillator to return the magnetic power flow, as well as counterweights arranged symmetrically to the cylinder magnets and secured to said discs and further comprising decoupling means for both coils, the amplitude of the rotary oscillator being influenced by damping means comprising an electrically controlled member mounted on the rotary oscillator and located opposite the coils.

2. A rate regulator according to claim 1, wherein the discs are annular, having a transverse spoke therein and wherein said discs are of material of high permeability.

3. A rate regulator according to claim 1, said decoupling means comprising a thin metal disc between the control and driving coils.

4. A rate regulator according to claim 1, comprising fine adjustment winding means coupled to the control and driving coils.

5. Rate regulator according to claim 4, wherein said fine adjustment winding means includes a variable resistor and a winding coupled to the control and driving coils.

6. Rate regulator according to claim 5, wherein the resistor is temperature responsive such that a change of the pendulum amplitude, caused by changes in temperature, will be compensated by said last mentioned resistor.

7. Rate regulator according to claim 1, comprising an adjustable resistance for the fine adjustment of the regullator.

8. Rate regulator arrangement according to claim 1, comprising clamping means in the form of a metal disc arranged in the movement direction of the permanent magnet, said disc being mounted on the side of the pendulurn axis opposite of the control and driving coils and wherein said disc can be regulated in radial direction.

9. Rate regulator arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said metal disc has a temperature-responsive resistance, said last mentioned resistance being of such size that changes in the temperature, caused by changes in the movement regulator amplitude, will be compensated.

10. Rate regulator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control and driving coils are adjustable relative to each other.

11. Rate regulator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control and driving coils are adjustable simultaneously with respect to the cylindrical permanent magnet when the pendulum is in stationary position.

12. 'Rate regulator arrangement according to claim 1, in which an evacuated magnetic screening casing is provided.

References Cited in the file of this patent v UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,831,114 Van Overbeek Apr. 15, 1958 2,962,643 Kwartirofi Nov. 29, 1960 2,986,683 Lavet May 30, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 604,840 Great Britain "-4 July 12, 1948 1,043,962 Germany Nov. 13, 1958 

1. ELECTRODYNAMIC RATE REGULATOR FOR CLOCKS AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A ROTARY OSCILLATOR MOUNTED ON A SPINDLE, A PLURALITY OF PERMANENT MAGNET PARTS MOUNTED ON SAID OSCILLATOR, SAID PARTS COOPERATING WITH A CORELESS CONTROL COIL FIXED IN THE CLOCK AND WITH A CORELESS DRIVING COIL LIKEWISE IN A FIXED POSITION IN THE CLOCK, AN INDUCTIVE TRANSISTOR COUPLING CIRCUIT, TWO DISCS COOPERATING WITH SAID MAGNETIC PARTS FORMING OPPOSITELY PLACED MAGNET POLES, HAVING A FLUX PATH CLOSED IN THE VICINITY OF THE SPINDLE, SAID MAGNETIC PARTS BEING FASTENED TO SAID DISCS AND BEING AXIALLY MAGNETIZED AND OPPOSED CYLINDRICAL MAGNETS WHICH HAVE AN AIR GAP TO RECEIVE THE CORELESS COILS WHEN THE OSCILLATOR IS IN STATIONARY POSITION, SAID DISCS HAVING HIGH MAGNETIC PERMEABILITY, FURTHER INCLUDING FERROMAGNETIC EMBODIMENTS ARRANGED IN THE VICINITY OF THE ROTARY OSCILLATOR TO RETURN THE MAGNETIC POWER FLOW, AS WELL AS COUNTERWEIGHTS ARRANGED SYMMETRICALLY TO THE CYLINDER MAGNETS AND SECURED TO SAID DISCS AND FURTHER COMPRISING DECOUPLING MEANS FOR BOTH COILS, THE AMPLITUDE OF THE ROTARY OSCILLATOR BEING INFLUENCED BY DAMPING MEANS COMPRISING AN ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED MEMBER MOUNTED ON THE ROTARY OSCILLATOR AND LOCATED OPPOSITE THE COILS. 